Tagaytay open to tourists despite Taal smog; volcano could spew gas until 2026 | ABS-CBN
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Tagaytay open to tourists despite Taal smog; volcano could spew gas until 2026
Tagaytay open to tourists despite Taal smog; volcano could spew gas until 2026
Published Aug 20, 2024 02:17 PM PHT
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Updated Aug 20, 2024 03:11 PM PHT

People residing in Laurel, town surrounding the Taal Volcano in Batangas, go about their chores a day after volcanic smog clears from Volcano island in Taal Batangas on August 20, 2024. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

MANILA – Tagaytay City remained open to tourists on Tuesday despite the sulfur dioxide belched by Taal Volcano, which has caused volcanic smog in large parts of Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna.
MANILA – Tagaytay City remained open to tourists on Tuesday despite the sulfur dioxide belched by Taal Volcano, which has caused volcanic smog in large parts of Batangas, Cavite, and Laguna.
At the People’s Park, one of the tourist destinations in Tagaytay City, many visitors continue to arrive.
At the People’s Park, one of the tourist destinations in Tagaytay City, many visitors continue to arrive.
Among them was Mark Christian Fernandez’s family from Madella, Quirino Province, who visited Tagaytay City for the first time. They attended an event in Manila and decided to take a side trip to Tagaytay.
Among them was Mark Christian Fernandez’s family from Madella, Quirino Province, who visited Tagaytay City for the first time. They attended an event in Manila and decided to take a side trip to Tagaytay.
“Naka-book na kasi kami dito kaya hindi na pwede umatras then bababa na rin bukas after ng stay namin dito. Mayroong fear, nandito na eh, first time namin kasi na nag-travel buong family at first time namin sa Tagaytay,” said Fernandez.
“Naka-book na kasi kami dito kaya hindi na pwede umatras then bababa na rin bukas after ng stay namin dito. Mayroong fear, nandito na eh, first time namin kasi na nag-travel buong family at first time namin sa Tagaytay,” said Fernandez.
Vendor Mary Jane Hongoy noted that despite the thick vog on Monday, many tourists still came.
Vendor Mary Jane Hongoy noted that despite the thick vog on Monday, many tourists still came.
“Parang relax lang mga tao, napunta pa rin sila dito araw -araw, siguro nakikiusyoso rin sila kung ano nangyayari sa Taal,” said Hongoy.
“Parang relax lang mga tao, napunta pa rin sila dito araw -araw, siguro nakikiusyoso rin sila kung ano nangyayari sa Taal,” said Hongoy.
Fruit vendor Susie De Jesus observed a slight decrease in tourists, but she said this has not significantly affected their livelihood.
Fruit vendor Susie De Jesus observed a slight decrease in tourists, but she said this has not significantly affected their livelihood.
“May kaunting kabawasan ng buyer na pumupunta gawa ng balitang may smog pero ok pa rin po nakakabenta rin,” she said.
“May kaunting kabawasan ng buyer na pumupunta gawa ng balitang may smog pero ok pa rin po nakakabenta rin,” she said.
The Tagaytay City Tourism Council said that it was business as usual because the vog had no significant impact.
The Tagaytay City Tourism Council said that it was business as usual because the vog had no significant impact.
The council hopes many tourists will visit Tagaytay City during the upcoming long weekend.
The council hopes many tourists will visit Tagaytay City during the upcoming long weekend.
“Sa mga turista po, we are open, our tourism establishments remain open, business as usual and just be safe and also look at the reminders that are given by the local government and the health officials,” said Dr. Kim Fajardo, executive vice president of the Tagaytay City Tourism Council.
“Sa mga turista po, we are open, our tourism establishments remain open, business as usual and just be safe and also look at the reminders that are given by the local government and the health officials,” said Dr. Kim Fajardo, executive vice president of the Tagaytay City Tourism Council.
GAS EMISSIONS
GAS EMISSIONS
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano have continued since 2021, a year after its major eruption in January 2020.
According to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs), sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano have continued since 2021, a year after its major eruption in January 2020.
Maria Antonia Bornas, chief of Phivolcs’ volcano monitoring and eruption prediction division, explained that the recorded 3,355 tons of sulfur dioxide emitted by Taal last Thursday was low compared to the 25,000 tons recorded at the peak of the volcano’s unrest in October 2021.
Maria Antonia Bornas, chief of Phivolcs’ volcano monitoring and eruption prediction division, explained that the recorded 3,355 tons of sulfur dioxide emitted by Taal last Thursday was low compared to the 25,000 tons recorded at the peak of the volcano’s unrest in October 2021.
Bornas clarified that the presence of thick vog does not mean that the sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano are high; rather, it is due to a lack of wind in the Taal Caldera Region.
Bornas clarified that the presence of thick vog does not mean that the sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano are high; rather, it is due to a lack of wind in the Taal Caldera Region.
“This is relatively low but what happened was that kasi nga wala tayong masyadong wind, so kung anuman yung ibinuga for several days, yung concentration ng ibinuga ng Taal for several days hindi umaalis… This actually favor the formation of volcanic smog o vog,” Bornas said.
“This is relatively low but what happened was that kasi nga wala tayong masyadong wind, so kung anuman yung ibinuga for several days, yung concentration ng ibinuga ng Taal for several days hindi umaalis… This actually favor the formation of volcanic smog o vog,” Bornas said.
Bornas added that sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano could continue until 2026, similar to what happened with Mt. Oyama in Miyake-Jima, Japan, which took five years to cease.
Bornas added that sulfur dioxide emissions from Taal Volcano could continue until 2026, similar to what happened with Mt. Oyama in Miyake-Jima, Japan, which took five years to cease.
“Ang tingin naming tatagal pa yan, matagal pa yan at least for five years, if we will compare into similar volcano in Japan, 5 years bago nawala yung sulfur dioxide. So if it is started in 2021, may delay nga ng 1 year after eruption, baka hanggang 2026 pa ito,” Bornas added.
“Ang tingin naming tatagal pa yan, matagal pa yan at least for five years, if we will compare into similar volcano in Japan, 5 years bago nawala yung sulfur dioxide. So if it is started in 2021, may delay nga ng 1 year after eruption, baka hanggang 2026 pa ito,” Bornas added.
The situation around Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, as well as the surrounding towns and cities, has become clearer on Tuesday following heavy rainfall.
The situation around Taal Volcano and Taal Lake, as well as the surrounding towns and cities, has become clearer on Tuesday following heavy rainfall.
Classes remain suspended today in some schools in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro.
Classes remain suspended today in some schools in Batangas, Cavite, Laguna, Quezon, and Lubang Island in Occidental Mindoro.
OTHER THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
OTHER THINGS TO WATCH OUT FOR
According to Phivolcs’ latest Taal bulletin, possible hazards include steam-driven or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.
According to Phivolcs’ latest Taal bulletin, possible hazards include steam-driven or gas-driven explosions, volcanic earthquakes, minor ashfall, and lethal accumulations or expulsions of volcanic gas.
Despite this, Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said they have yet to monitor volcanic earthquakes from Taal since August 8.
Despite this, Phivolcs Director Dr. Teresito Bacolcol said they have yet to monitor volcanic earthquakes from Taal since August 8.
“Magandang pangitain po ito, magandang senyales since ang presence ng volcanic earthquakes ay nagpapahiwatig na may magma na umaangat at binabasag ang mga bato. So, kung wala hong lindol, ibig sabihin po wala pong magma na umaakyat,” he said.
“Magandang pangitain po ito, magandang senyales since ang presence ng volcanic earthquakes ay nagpapahiwatig na may magma na umaangat at binabasag ang mga bato. So, kung wala hong lindol, ibig sabihin po wala pong magma na umaakyat,” he said.
Bacolcol reminded the public, especially those in affected areas, to exercise precaution, avoid outdoor activities, and to protect themselves by wearing N95 face masks when going outside.
Bacolcol reminded the public, especially those in affected areas, to exercise precaution, avoid outdoor activities, and to protect themselves by wearing N95 face masks when going outside.
“And kung makalanghap sila ng asupre, uminom ng maraming tubig, para madilute yung asupre, and kung malala na talaga lalo na sa mga may health conditions, they need to see medical doctors,” he said.
“And kung makalanghap sila ng asupre, uminom ng maraming tubig, para madilute yung asupre, and kung malala na talaga lalo na sa mga may health conditions, they need to see medical doctors,” he said.
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